I used to love listening to him singing with Tommy Makem when I was a kid. Thanks for this. posted by jessamyn at 8:55 AM on December 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should go and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.
Good call Peter Mcdemott. I'm of the opinion that a good number of Metafilter post could benefit from a link to that song. Plus Dylan kinda borrowed it for "With God On Our Side". posted by jeffen at 9:12 AM on December 6, 2009
A friend of mine in Minneapolis went to see the Swell Season last night and said on Facebook that Glen Hansard led the crowd in a rendition of The Parting Glass for Clancy.
Oh, man. I've loved the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem since I was young and my father would listen to them. Liam had an amazing voice - so clear and rich, such a delicate touch.
immlass - You can find footage of The Swell Season performing "The Parting Glass" in Philadelphia last month here . The song starts at 4:15, and includes a lovely spoken tribute to Liam in the middle. posted by shannonm at 11:10 AM on December 6, 2009
Also, there are many recordings of Liam Clancy singing Eric Bogen's 'And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda', but this one from 1992 is my favorite. There is a really great selection of music from Liam Clancy, the brothers, and Tommy Makem on Youtube, so if this touches your heart there's hours worth of great, great music. posted by anigbrowl at 12:21 PM on December 6, 2009
My dad had a stack of Clancy Brothers records. Listening to them was the definition of any random Sunday in my childhood.
Here's the great man doing one of my sing-your-drunken-way-home favourites, Ewan MacColl's Shoals of Herring. Thanks for everything Liam. posted by Abiezer at 1:41 PM on December 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
My favourite of all is this duet with Tommy Makem, "Peter Kagan and the Wind", in Part 1 (9:32) and Part 2 (3:31).
Liam Clancy once went on an epic binge in Waterford with my mam's uncle, before the two of em falling in the door of my grandmother's and loudly demanding tea. That's my only Liam Clancy story. posted by kersplunk at 4:14 PM on December 6, 2009
I am indeed sorry for his going away. He, his brothers, and Tommy Makem were a huge part of my childhood, and I'm definitely shedding a tear for Mr. Clancy tonight.
I apologize for this, I do, but "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" was written by Eric Bogle.
Rest in peace Mr. Clancy. posted by Dr. Boom at 8:33 PM on December 6, 2009
I found a three-disk set of Clancy/Makem albums for a hilariously low price at a used music store when I was in high school. It really changed me. When I have kids they'll listen to that music all the time. posted by crinklebat at 10:03 PM on December 6, 2009
I also grew up with old vinyl records of the Clancy Brothers and with compilations called such things as 'A Nation Once Again, and other rebel songs', 'The Wearing of the Green, and other rebel songs', etc. And this in spite of the fact that my parents were typical urban middle class Dubliners who abhorred both De Valera (apart from being proud that he had stood up against Churchill) and the IRA, etc. In other words, good Fine Gaellers. Most Irish people of my generation, however, are much more negative (or at least ambivalent) about the balladeering tradition represented by Liam Clancy. They can appreciate his rich tones, but this form of romanticising the Irish experience sends shivers down their spines. posted by degreezero at 2:57 AM on December 7, 2009
degreezero: I've always understood there to be a certain Irish resentment towards Irish-Americans' romanticizing and in many cases aiding (thought not with the Clancys I'm sure) of nationalist violence. It's an interesting subject, the relationship between Ireleand and its diaspora, of which I could serve to learn more about. posted by jeffen at 6:00 AM on December 7, 2009
degreezero: I've always understood there to be a certain Irish resentment towards Irish-Americans' romanticizing and in many cases aiding (thought not with the Clancys I'm sure) of nationalist violence. It's an interesting subject, the relationship between Ireleand and its diaspora, of which I could serve to learn more about.
It's something I've thought about writing about before but have never found the time.
Romanticising violence gets a bit old when it comes from people who haven't had to live with it. posted by knapah at 2:50 PM on December 7, 2009
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posted by jessamyn at 8:55 AM on December 6, 2009 [1 favorite]